Bonfire – Fireworks… Still Alive!

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German rock veterans Bonfire only played a handful of shows worldwide in 2011, some of which were 25th anniversary celebrations playing the whole of their best selling album Fireworks, released in 1987, and were all recorded in order to make up this live release. It’s Bonfire’s second release of 2011, following the brand new studio album Branded, and continue’s their fine tradition of pristine-sounding live albums. While some arguably bigger bands never seem to be able to produce live albums with clear audio (Megadeth, W.A.S.P., etc.), Bonfire’s always sound superb, and Fireworks… Still Alive! sounds just as good as any of the others. Strangely, although there is room on the CD, Cold Days is absent, but the rest of the Fireworks is here, albeit not presented in order, with a few other hits (Champion, Just Follow The Rainbow, You Make Me Feel, Sword And Stone) finishing off the show, which closes with a cover of Swiss rockers Gotthard‘s 1994 single I’m On My Way as a tribute to deceased singer Steve Lee. Finally the previously digital-only single edit of Let It Grow from Branded is included as a bonus track. Although the absence of Cold Days somewhat undermines the sentiment of the release, the audio is so good, particularly bringing these songs up to date with their current, heavier sound, the disc should be a must-buy for Bonfire fans, and would actually serve as a good introduction to the band for newcomers.

Written by Andy Lye
More: 2011, Hard Rock, Live Albums, Quick.Play Reviews, Bonfire